1110 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII. 
the period of hatching and visit their colonies and bring specimens. These were 
duly secured by June 10th, 1922, and he left on June 21st for Basrah ndth his 
specimens which included eggs of the large crested Sea Tern ( Sterna hergii 
velox), Spoon-bill (Platalea leucorodia) and Common Heron {Ardea cinerea cinerea) 
and the white phase of the Reef Heron (Demiegretta asJta) in addition to other- 
species wliich were also obtained last year and a quantity of skins of migrants. 
Also a series of young in down of Gull-billed Tern {S. anglica). Lesser-crested Sea 
Tem [S. media). Slender-billed GuU (Lams gelastes) and Crab Plover (Dramas 
ardeola). 
La Personne’s activities were next directed to Basrah to obtain, if not 
too late in the season, sldns and eggs of the Babylon Reed Warbler, (Cala- 
moherpe. griseldis= Acroceplialus hahylonicus) of Ticehurst. With the kind 
assistance of I\Ir. A. G. Tomlinson a few eggs and skins of this rare 
Warbler were obtained in the reed beds of the Shatt-al-Arab. A short ex- 
cursion was also made to Zobeir and Jabal Sanam to endeavour to procure more 
specimens of the Desert Lark (Ammomanes deserti ), Black-crowned Finch Lark 
(Pyrrhulauda frontalis ) and sjiecimens and nests and eggs of the Bifasciated Lark 
(Alaemon alaudipes pallida ) ; series of skins from tliis area being desiderata. 
La Personne found the Desert Lark in some numbers at Jabal Sanam but un- 
fortunately mistook their identity and only brought back one specimen Adults 
and fl>dng young of the Bifasciated I.,ark were brought home but the Finch Larks 
were not .seen. On July 20th, 1922, La Personne arrived in Baghdad and though 
the breeding season was nearly over it was considered there might be just time 
to clear up a few' more points in the marshes around Musaiyib on the Euphrates 
whence well intentioned Shaikhs had sent in baskets of nameless eggs of marsh 
birds such as Terns, Grebes and many w'aders. 
Of first importance w'as to determine the status of the White-winged Black 
Tern (Hydrochelidon leucoptera). This bird had been constantly seen coming 
northwards in the spring but strange to say no reliable record existed as to its 
breeding in Iraq. The Gull-biUed Tern, Slender-billed Gull and three kinds of 
gi’ebe were all undoubtedly represented in the egg basket but required clutches 
and parents to confinn their position as breeders. There was also the possibi- 
lity that young in down of the White-tailed Plover ( Chettusia leucura) and othef 
waders would be encountered. 
La Persomie left for the Euphrates on July 25th and returned August 6th with 
2 clutches of eggs of the White-muged Black Tern w'ith parents, which were 
probably the last of the year ; also an adult Wliiskered Tern. The other birds 
mentioned w'ere not forthcoming. For the last few weeks he has been occupied 
in WTiting up liis notes and aiTauging specimens of this year’s collections. 
The birds are being sent in batches to Di’. C. B. Ticehurst who in spite of 
fully occupied days has kindly consented to look them through so we may have on 
doubt as to their correct identification. 
“ Affairs of State ” have made insistent calls on time during the last two 
vears and it has only been possible so far to collect, label and list these and other 
specimens and keep the notes up to date and in an intelhgible form. 
It is our hope eventually to marshal the facts and summarise the results in 
the form of two or more papers to be offered for pubheation in the journal of 
the B. N. H. S. if so desired. 
[The Editors will be very pleased to publish further papers from Capt. 
Cheosman giving the results of his and Mr. La Personno’s investigations. 
They take this opportunity of expressing the pleasure the Committee feel 
over the good work done by their young collector.] 
